To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) his plans to ensure that everyone can join and access a local NHS dentist in a timely way; and (ii) whether he will put in place a revised contract with dentists to ensure it is financially viable for dentists to take on and treat new NHS patients.

A key part of the access issues facing patients are the rates being paid to our dentists for treatment. The absence of Executive Ministers has meant that it has not been possible to progress the recommended pay uplifts for staffing groups for 2023/24. This is now my immediate priority, and I am meeting with Trade Unions in early course to take this forward. Officials have already been making arrangements in anticipation of funding being made available to ensure that uplifts can be implemented as quickly as possible.

I know that an additional £95m has been invested in General Dental Services via the Financial Support Scheme and Rebuilding Support Scheme since April 2020. This came to an end in July 2023 due to the severe financial pressures arising from the Department’s 2023/24 budget settlement.

A pilot scheme is currently running to provide appointments to unregistered patients who require emergency dental treatment during the working week. If a patient is not registered with a dentist, requires emergency dental treatment, and has been unable to access an appointment, they can contact their local Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) office for advice.

More immediately, officials have been developing investment proposals to further support General Dental Services and I will consider them in early course.

In relation to contract reform, I am conscious of the progress that has been made in the rest of the UK in recent months, with Scotland, England and Wales adopting diverging models of remuneration. I will be discussing these issues with officials as soon as possible, to ensure that the sector here in NI is supported in delivering important care to patients. I also know that officials are liaising with their colleagues in the devolved governments to monitor the results of these models and the views of practitioners and patients, in order to inform decision making in Northern Ireland.